Calgary-Edmonton Potential Via Service

The fact that two of Canada’s largest cities do not have a direct passenger rail connection between them is a crime. So I decided to shitpost my way through one. There is a HSR proposal that got “approved” in 2021, but that hasn’t done anything yet, so. I imagine there would be skip stop express Calgary -> Red Deer -> Edmonton as well as local services. In a perfect world we’d build a completely new alignment but I don’t think we have the political will for that. There are a few places where some straightening of the alignment can probably occur though (Blackfalds for example). The line could potential continue along the LRT tunnel to reach more of downtown (perhaps to Churchill). This project would include: - Activation of the existing freight rail line for passenger use - New stations - A new crossing over the Saskatchewan River, paralleling the LRT crossing - Bridge and other crossing modernization (ex. Bow River Crossing) - Grade separation where possible - Double/triple tracking where possible - A new maintenance/yard space probably near Edmonton - Electrification (pipe dream)